Category Archives: Parents

Revised survey available from HISD Transportation on 2018-2019 standardized school start times

Editor’s note: The district has heard concerns about the initial survey that was presented earlier this week on standardized school start times, and in response has revised the survey to offer more choices and an opportunity to include comments. Questions are also added that will collect more information about the needs of those taking the survey.

HISD is considering standardizing school start times across grade levels starting in the 2018-19 school year, with the goal of increasing the efficiency of bus transportation, and is conducting a survey to collect parent feedback.

Across more than 280 campuses, HISD manages 67 different school start times – which is the highest number in the state. This poses challenges to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for students. Those challenges include: ineffective routes, increased cost of maintenance and repairs, and reduced availability for field trips and athletic events (an increased cost for campuses).

Take the revised parent survey now Continue reading →

HISD hosting Parental Involvement Conference 

HISD will be serving as this year’s host for the 2017 Statewide Parental Involvement Conference set for Nov. 30  to Dec. 2  at the Crowne Plaza Hotel near NRG Park (8686 Kirby Drive).

Title I and Achieve 180 schools are encouraged to have staff and parents attend this year’s conference.

Over the course of the three-day conference, parents and educators will learn strategies for empowering all school community stakeholders in an effort to increase student achievement and to meet the required mandates of the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the nation’s national education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students.  Continue reading →

Notice of Destruction of Special Education Records 

Special Education records, which have been collected by the Houston Independent School District (HISD) related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of Special Education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for a period of five years after Special Education services have ended for the student. Special Education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, completes his or her educational program at age 22, or moves from the district.

This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of HISD’s intent to destroy the Special Education records of students who are no longer receiving Special Education services as of the end of the 2011-2012 school year. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. Continue reading →

Magnet school applications for 2018-2019 available

Applications for magnet program for the 2018-2019 school year will be available starting on Friday, Sept. 22. HISD offers a robust portfolio of magnet programs at more than 100 schools to best meet your child’s academic needs and interests. The magnet programs within the district include:

Continue reading →

Fondren MS opens Fondren Pantry for students, community after Harvey 

Students at Fondren Middle School are launching a pantry for families in need, a year-long service that will serve as a community pantry for both students and families who were directly impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

The Fondren Pantry will be located on campus and will open to the community once a week to help ensure that all students have access to adequate food, toiletries, uniforms, and school supplies to help them be successful this year.

For those who wish to donate, these are the most-needed items:

  • Non-perishable food items
  • Uniforms: (khaki pants and solid white, gray, and black polo shirts)
  • Backpacks: (clear or mesh)
  • School supplies
  • Toiletries
  • Detergent and other essential household products.

For questions, please call Fondren MS at 713-778-3360.

Workshops available for assistance with DACA application renewals

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston will host a series of free workshops for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients to assist them in completing renewal applications.

To receive help with the application process, sign up for one of the workshops below by calling 713-874-6570 or 713-595-4100. All workshops will take place at 2707 North Loop West, Houston, Texas 77008.  Please contact Catholic Charities to determine whether you qualify to file a renewal application. Continue reading →

HISD Board of Education to vote on extended days for schools with delayed start

Sept. 14 2017 – In its first regular meeting since Hurricane Harvey, the Houston Independent School District Board of Education Trustees will consider a proposal to make up instructional time lost because of the storm.  The Texas Education Agency approved waivers that exempt students from making up the first nine days the storm took away.  However, students at the 12 schools that suffered the most significant damage will have to make up any lost time beyond those days.

Here’s how the proposed plan works:  Students at the four schools scheduled to start on September 18 would be in school for 25 additional minutes every day.  Students at the eight schools scheduled to start on September 25 would go for an extra 55 minutes.  That extended school day would be effective from their first day of school until the end of the first semester in December. Continue reading →

Volunteer to help HISD families and students recover from Harvey 

Volunteers help sort donated items at Delmar Fieldhouse.

Individuals and local organizations have an opportunity to help HISD students and families impacted by  Hurricane Harvey by volunteering at the district’s designated donation site.

Delmar Fieldhouse (2020 Mangum Road, Houston, TX 77092) will be receiving donations the week of Sept. 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering will need to sign-up by clicking here, and select the day and time they can volunteer.  Continue reading →

Free uniforms available for distribution at 7 sites across city

The Houston Independent School District, along with county and city officials, will be distributing thousands of free school uniforms to students at seven locations across the city from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9. Students must be present to be fitted in order to receive clothing.

HISD has relaxed its school uniform policy until January 2018, but students may wear uniform clothing to school if they have purchased or received those items.

The distribution locations are: Continue reading →

HISD to open nine meal centers

The Houston Independent School District will be supporting relief efforts in communities across Houston by providing meals to families and individuals affected by the recent floods.  Starting on Saturday, Sept. 2, HISD’s Nutrition Services will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner free of charge at nine sites in the Houston area.  The meals will be available on a first-come, first-served basis to all community members. Continue reading →